Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has assured that the uncertainty prevailing over the construction of the much-needed road connecting the Vizhinjam International Seaport to National Highway 66 will soon be over. The same is in the wake of Thiruvananthapuram MP, Shashi Tharoor’s intervention in Lok Sabha, bringing this issue to the fore.
Why the Road to Vizhinjam Port is Important
The road connecting the Vizhinjam port to NH66 is important for the effective movement of goods, particularly containers, in and out of the port. The proposed inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport next month heightens the need for this infrastructural development. According to Tharoor, unless the road and rail connectivity are available for the movement of containers, the port cannot be utilized at its potential as a major maritime hub.
He laid particular stress on making robust connectivity for the port by stating that the port will definitely play a pivotal role in uplifting the economic growth of the region by providing easier and smooth trade flows across India and globally. It will only hamper the free movement of goods, thus hindering the capabilities of the port.
Gadkari Response and Reassurance
In response to the apprehensions of Tharoor, Nitin Gadkari promised that the situation would be addressed within 10 days. He said that he has complete agreement with Tharoor’s assessment of the matter and that the road must be developed for the prosperity of the port. Long discussions on the construction of the road, the Union Minister revealed, have been held by him with Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, in the last few days. This means everyone will pull his weight to treat the issue on time.
The confidence by Gadkari will ensure that once the port is launched full-scale, it will begin functioning effectively because of the timely completion of the road construction, which has made easy the transportation of items into and out of it to ensure that processes within it are efficient for competitiveness at the global level.
Tharoor thanks Gadkari for support
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari received thanks from Shashi Tharoor for his proactive and benevolent attitude towards the cause. He appreciated the fact that the minister understood the seriousness of the issue and appreciated the constructive approach taken by both Gadkari and the state government to overcome this problem.
He said that he will continue to closely watch how the work to connect Vizhinjam port to all railway and road networks goes ahead.
He assured that he will take any necessary step forward, so the developments would proceed smoothly.
Strategic Relevance of Vizhinjam Port
The Vizhinjam International Seaport is being developed as a state-of-the-art deep-sea port to accommodate large container vessels. Upon completion, it would rank as one of the premier maritime hubs in India and thus significantly contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy. The port’s strategic location near international shipping routes holds enormous potential for global trade.
However, for the port to achieve its economic potential, it has to be endowed with the necessary infrastructure, among them efficient transport links. Both the road and rail networks are important for allowing easy movement of goods both in and out of the port. Without good connectivity, the port may not work at its optimal capacity, thus failing to positively impact the economy.
Conclusion
Nitin Gadkari’s pledge to resolve the Vizhinjam port road construction issue within 10 days represents a key milestone in securing the port’s success. Meanwhile, Shashi Tharoor’s continuous efforts to ensure robust connectivity highlight the critical role of infrastructure development in driving economic progress. Once the road and rail links become completed in time for the inauguration of Vizhinjam International Seaport, the entire essence of the port will open to the world, paving a road to long-term prosperity.
Refer:
TOI, Link to article
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